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As the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology reports, an increased number of small to medium earthquakes have occurred lately at Etna volcano, the largest one being today (Sun, 30 Oct. 05) at 3.7 magnitude Richter at 08h06 on the southeastern slopes near Pedara, Trecastagni et Nicolosi. Etna has been without eruptive activity since March 2005; new eruptions are expected within a near to medium future (months or few years, possibly less if the recent seismic activity is taken as possible precursor).

The eruption of Sierra Negre continues with lava flows confined to the vast caldera; it does not pose risks to populated areas. In the meanwhile, a group of scientists from the Geophysical Institute of Ecuador have visited the site and posted a detailed report about the eruption's first 3 days: it can be downloaded here.

The eruption is continuing from a fissure inside the E part of the caldera of Sierra Negre, with lava fountains up to 200 m tall and large lava flows that have now covered about 20% of the caldera floor. Good eruption viewing possibilities are from a lookout on the caldera rim in the El Cura area.

First photographs and more detailed information about the large eruption of Sierra Negre are emerging. As on Monday, 24 October, lava flows from a fissure have travelled 9-10 km away from the fissure. The eruption is accompanied by strong lava fountains. Near the eruption site, the terrain consists mainly of older, unvegetated lava flows. Two flows are travelling towards Elizabeth Bay, while a third one is heading towards Cartago Bay, both uninhabited areas. The popoluation of Puerto Villamil is not threatened because of its sheltered position at the S of the island.

---Backgound: Sierra Negre is the largest of the Galapagos volcanoes, with a caldera 10 km in diameter. Its last eruptino occurred in 1979; the lava flows of that eruption did not pose any significant risk to the population of the island.

Sierra Negra volcano, also called "El Chico", on Isabela Island, Galapagos, erupted yesterday at 17h30 local time. As the Ecuadorian newspaper "El Universo" reports, an ash column estimated between 20 to 30 km high was observed. According witnesses from Santa Cruz island, two lava flows reached Elizabeth Bay, an uninhabitated settlement area close to the volcano. The island's main town, Puerto Villamil, 25 kilometers (15 miles) away, is not threatened by the eruption. Sierra Negro last erupted 1978.

A team of scientists visited the Da'Ure locality immediately adjacent to the NE flank of the Quaternary Dabbahu (or Boina) felsic complex on 4 and 5 October after receiving reports of volcanic activity there on 26 September. People in the area noted that on 26 September at about 1300 a very strong earthquake shook the area, and was followed by a dark column of "smoke" that rose high into the atmosphere and spread out to form a cloud, which darkened the area for 3 days and 3 nights. The scientists determined that a minor explosive eruption occurred from two semi-circular vents, producing ashfall that was ~5 cm thick near the vent. Ash deposits extended more than 500 m from the vent. Boulders emitted during the eruption were as large as 3 m and were deposited as far as 20 meters away. The scientists noted intense degassing from the vents, the scent of sulfur dioxide, and the sound of boiling water in the vents. As of about 10 October, the Addis Ababa University Geophysical Observatory reported that seismic activity in the area was continuing.

Background: Dabbahu, also known as Boina or Moina, is a Holocene volcanic massif forming an axial range of the Afar depression SSW of the Alayta massif. Pantelleritic obsidian flows, lava domes, and pumice cones form the summit and upper flanks of the volcano, which rises above the Teru Plain and was built over a base of basaltic-to-trachytic lava flows of a shield volcano. Late-stage basaltic fissure eruptions occurred at the NW base of the volcano. Abundant fumaroles are located along the crest of the volcano and extend NE towards Alayta.

This year's second eruption of Piton de la Fournaise volcano was ufficially declared to have ended today, after tremor had ceased abruptly yesterday at 13:10h local time on the 18th of Oct. 2005 while visual observations had yesterday not been possible due to bad weather.

Marco Fulle sends this report based on observations made by a VolcanoDiscovery group, who climbed Stromboli on 11 Oct. 2005: Stromboli's activity was significant, with 8 active vents in three clusters (corresponding to the former W, Central and E craters): during 1 hour, they observed 2 faint eruptions from the W vent nr. 1, which is hidden from Pizzo, while stong glow was visible from the second vent in the W crater. During the same time, 5 eruptions occurred from the westermost vent in the central vent complex (the former Central crater), emitting few bombs but lots of gas during its eruptions, and seven (!) eruptions ejecting lava to up to 250 m height were observed from the second central vent, which is now found at the top of a tall cone.The eastern vent complex conprises 4 active vents: Blue flames were visible from E vent nr.1, while two simulataneous eruptions occurred from a second and third vent in the E crater, ejecting lava to up to 150 m. One of these vents is glowing visibly, the other one is hidden from Pizzo. A 4th vent, at the far E end of the E crater, is also hidden from Pizzo and was showing continuous spattering.

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The tours this year on Santorini are now over, too, with lots of fun and great company as well. Thanks to all participants!Before we send out our formal newsletter, when the programs for 2006 are completed, a quick notice to announce that Tom will offer a new, 12-days tour / expedition to the Rift Valley including Lengai volcano in Feb. and summer 2006, Costa Rica in late March and (probably) July 2006. As well, Tobias (who is right now touring in the Saronic Gulf) awaits with a new, exciting program on Milos, a wonderful, volcanic island in Greece! Other new or recently developped programs include Nisyros (Greece) and the Eifel region in Germany (details will come soon).Greetings from Athens! Tom

The eruption at Piton de la Fournaise continues at stable low levels. According to the volcano observatory on the island, the new cone is slowly growing, showing moderate degassing, slightly increased today, weak spattering, and emitting lava flows that are still visible. By now, the new flows have covered 30-50% of the crater floor of Dolomieu crater.Tremor is low.

The new cone that has formed in the SE area of Dolomieu crater (Photo published on Réunion's leading newspaper "Le Journal de l'île de la Réunion" - www.clicanoo.com)

The main vent of the new eruption remains active with moderate lava fountains and strombolian activity, emitting a few small lava flows inside Dolomieu crater.Since today, access to the Enclos has been reopened to the public on a temptative basis (on condition that visitors "behave"), but access is limited to the time between 6am and 5:30pm. More details (in French) on the following article.

The eruption at Piton de la Fournaise and volcanic tremor levels have stabilized and continue at low levels. Activity continues inside Domolieu crater, where a small cone of about 10 m height has been formed at the pricipal vent. Lava fountains and strombolian activity atteign heights of about 30 m occur and several active lava flows depart from the vent, sometimes as overflows from its crater that shows frequent inside collapses.

The weak intensity of tremor is probably due to the relatively ease with which magma rises from a shallow magma chamber to the surface. In fact, the area of the eruption has already been heavily fractured before: it appears that the magma is using approximately the same paths as during the Nov. 2002 eruption that occurred at the same site, as well as the subsequent eruptions in June, July and August 2003.

Authorities are discussing the possibilities to open access - free or organized - to the eruption site to the public.

One week after the start of the eruption of Erta Ale, some details emerge as news reports come in: the crater of the large shield volcano has rapidly filled with fresh lava and possibly overflowed, destroying farmland and killing much livestock. strong strombolian or hawaiian activity is producing thick clouds of ash that shower over the volcano's surroundings.

A group of scientists assessed the visible changes at Erta Ale on 26 September after activity began around 24 September. In comparison to observations made in November 2004, they found that the southern main crater/pit had widened significantly, with portions of the previous crater walls having collapsed into the lava lake. A new cone-shaped construct had grown within the southern main crater where there had been a platform. A lava lake occupied the entire width of the inner crater/pit. In the northern crater/pit, there was a solidified lava bulge and abundant "smoking" along the crater walls. No incandescent lava was visible in the pit. Based on descriptions by local residents of seeing "red and glowing light shooting and rising into the air above the volcano," the scientists believe that a Strombolian eruption probably occurred, emitting a significant volume of fresh magma within, and possibly out of, the pit.

No fatalities have been reported, but the Ethiopian government evacuated about 50,000 nomads in the surroundings of the volcano. A committee has been set up at to study the magnitude of the damage.

During 22-27 September, several small explosions occurred at Colima. The largest explosion took place on 27 September at 0507 and produced a plume to a height of ~3.8 km above the volcano (or 25,100 ft a.s.l.). The plume drifted WSW, depositing small amounts of ash in the cities of Colima, Villa de Álvarez, and Comala more than 30 km from the volcano. Due to the threat of lahars forming on the volcano's flanks, Universidad de Colima advised avoiding the ravines of La Lumbre, San Antonio, Monte Grande (in Colima state), and La Arena (in Jalisco state).

Erta Ale volcano in northern Afar, Ethiopia, well-known for its long-lived active lava lake that had occupied its crater up until 2004, erupted yesterday according to unconfirmed reports from local authorities. The eruption followed a series of earthquakes of up to 5.5. magnitude Richter scale that occurred in the area the day before.

Colima continues to be at moderately high levels of activity. A strong explosion occurred yesterday on Sept. 16, at 10:46 am local time, producing an ash plume about 5 km high (3 miles). The eruption was accompanied by loud detonations that could be heard in villages up to 15 km away from the volcano. Ash-fall occurred in villages and towns to the northeast of Colima.

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A relatively stronger, but still small explosive eruption occurred at Fuego on 17 July during 1715-1945 local time, producing an ash plume that rose 3.5-4 km above the volcano's crater (or 23,800-25,500 ft a.s.l.). The eruption was accompanied by small pyroclastic flows that traveled SW down Santa Teresa and Taniluyá ravines.

- I am finally back in Europe, Doni and me wish to thank you all a lot for the great company, and the good tour we've had together. I will gradually post more photos of the tour on this website as well as on www.decadevolcano.net. Greetings from Athens,-

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